The school year may be winding down, but there's still fun to be had with papers, books, and especially pencils and erasers...or at least one of each in particular. Celebrating it's BOOK BIRTHDAY tomorrow via G.P. Putnam and Sons, make room in your book bag for the latest installment in the Pencil & Eraser Chapter Book series from author/illustrator Jenny Alvarado...
Pencil & Eraser #1: We Have a Dull-Emma!
* Pencil & Eraser #2: Lost and Frown! *
NO, your eyes are not deceiving you...this is a two-fer review for both books one AND two, and while I count myself lucky to have the chance to read and share them, I think you'll be among that count when I'm done because there is TOO MUCH FUN to be had here!
Book 1 introduces us to this, oftentimes, comedic duo with Pencil worried that Stella won't have a use for her as she has become dull. She makes a plan to be pointy once again, but what starts as a simple trip to the sharpener turns into an adventure through the school halls and into a backpack once again...where something familiar is rediscovered, much to Eraser's chagrin. 🤣
Book 2, and tomorrow's book birthday celebrant, takes us out of the backpack once again, but due to a rather less than intentional fall! If they don't find their way through town, they'll not only stay lost, but miss out on karate class with Stella! I mean, every pencil and eraser needs to know those chops, blocks, and kicks, right? Right! So, Pencil has a plan to get them from point A to B, it just goes a little off map when they meet up with some furry friends that like to make things out of wood (*gulp*), and have a little stopover at the arcade (apparently, Pencil has a problem...). Eventually, one thing leads to another and they reach a destination of sorts, even if it might not be EXACTLY where they were aiming for.
From kid-friendly quips to the personalities infused in each character, this reminded me of a younger more relateable version of another series I've read (it's called Catwad and beyond funny, but a little more grown in the joke department). Here, kiddos get the chance to read these stories on their own, laugh at the antics and the joke breaks (yes, there are joke breaks in the stories!), while building their confidence between the pages. Pencil is undeniably a positive force. There's nothing she can't do and no obstacle (or desk) too tall! If you need a cheerleader in your corner, she's got the point in spades! Now, if you want a dose of reality, you've got Eraser. Don't get me wrong, Eraser isn't about to jump at the chance to go off map, but they also aren't about to roll under a desk and hide. Pencil NEEDS Eraser, and, whether admittedly joyfully or not, Eraser needs Pencil. There's a reason these two are at opposite ends of the same writing device, but there's equally a reason why they go together quite so well.
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About the author/illustrator...
Jenny Alvarado is an author and illustrator of books for kids. She lives in Palm Bay, Florida with her family and little pup. As far as she knows, her real-life pencil and eraser don’t go on adventures, but she likes to imagine that they do. You can find more of her work at www.JennyAbooks.com or follow her @JennyAbooks on social.
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Special thanks to Jaleesa at Penguin Young Readers for the copies for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the series, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. The first title is available now, the second follows tomorrow, and the third (yes, the third!) appears to be on deck for January 2026, so get in on the fun now, and be ready to make "new friends"! 😉
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
2 comments:
Aw! Those look cute. I'll have to track down some copies for my youngest reader.
They were so much fun! Great for kiddos and their reading helpers too!
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